El-Masri palace on Mount Gerizim, Renaissance mansion on Mount Gerizim, Nablus Governorate.
El-Masri Palace is a mansion on Mount Gerizim, at the edge of Ras al-Ain in southern Nablus, built between 1998 and 2000 as a replica of Andrea Palladio's Villa Capra "La Rotonda" near Vicenza. Its round front pool is lined with French stone, with a fountain at its centre and old olive trees around it; the basement holds the remains of a 17th-century monastery found during construction.
Munib al-Masri built the mansion between 1998 and 2000, importing nearly all materials, including gravel and sand, from France. About 500 workers were employed while Israeli army shells exploded on the grounds during the Second Intifada. Construction halted when a 17th-century monastery was found by chance; the site was later declared an archaeological site.
The palace displays classical artworks from the 17th and 18th centuries, including a Marie Antoinette commode, Louis XVII sofas, a 16th-century Hercules statue in the entrance hall, and wall decorations by Picasso and Modigliani. In the basement, a declared archaeological site holds the remains of a 17th-century monastery discovered by chance during construction, which was halted until all finds were exposed.
The mansion is accessible via Mount Gerizim and visitors should prepare for hilly terrain and varying path conditions. Plan for time to explore both the interior rooms and the surrounding grounds.
The design draws inspiration from Villa La Rotonda, blending classical Renaissance elements with contemporary construction methods. This approach shows how historical architectural models can be reinterpreted in modern building projects.
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